Ichai Ghosh Temple

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Ichai Ghosh Temple

The tower temple ( rekha-deul ), known as Ichai Ghosh Temple , is located in the stone-free alluvial and bush landscape of the western Sundarbans in the Indian state of West Bengal , which is criss-crossed by numerous rivers . It belongs to a small subgroup of Bengali temples that can be traced back to architectural suggestions from Odisha .

location

The Ichai Ghosh Temple is largely isolated on the Ajay River near the village of Gourangapur in the Bardhaman District in West Bengal, about 40 km (driving distance) north of Kolkata . It is unclear whether there used to be a village near the temple or whether the temple was a regional pilgrimage center.

history

Nothing is known about the client (s) and thus also about the time the temple was built. Dates from the 7th to the 11th century are in circulation, as are construction times from the 16th to the 18th century.

Consecration

Since there is neither a cult image nor any other sculptural or inscribed references, the consecration of the temple is also unclear. According to regional tradition, Ichai Ghosh was a regional military leader who at times rose to be a usurper in the 7th century.

architecture

The brick temple, consisting only of an approximately 18 m high tower ( rekha-deul ) with an umbrella attachment ( chhatri ) and interior, windowless cella ( garbhagriha ), rises on an approximately square base area of ​​approximately 9.10 × 9.00 m; the basic dimensions of the approx. 4.50 m high cella, however, are only about 2.50 × 2.50 m. The steep proportions - which are common for a Rekha-Deul - are remarkable , which are divided in the lower part by several cornices , whereas in the upper part there are only vertical gradations. The building only develops a dome-shaped curvature over the last few meters.

Building decor

The unadorned arched portal is enclosed by a high rectangular frame; Two niches in each of the fields crowned by amalaka and kalasha in the upper zone show multi-pass arches and unidentifiable figures of gods on all four sides . Light-colored plaster residues on the outer walls indicate the fact that the temple was plastered at times.

Photos of other Rekha Deul temples in West Bengal

Web links

Coordinates: 22 ° 48 ′ 55 ″  N , 88 ° 19 ′ 20 ″  E